Where Are We Now?

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) have released a Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) for the Juneau Access Improvements Project.

The Draft SEIS addresses changes in current conditions, laws, and regulations since the FEIS was published. The Draft Supplemental SEIS is now available for review and comment.

Here are a couple of quick messages (30 sec) to hear why you should add your voice to support the Juneau Access project.

The public comment period ended November 25, 2014. You can learn about the project by visiting the Juneau Access Project site on the DOT website. The Frequently Asked Question section is particularly helpful. There are numerous reasons to support Alternative 2B – a road up the East side of Lynn Canal – which include, but are not limited to, the environmental and social benefits of road links, significant economic benefits for the entire region, and our belief that it is truly in the long-term best interest of our community, our businesses and our families to have roads connecting communities wherever possible.

In May, 2011, an opinion was released by a panel of Judges from the US Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in a case originated by the State relative to Southeast Alaska Conservation Council and several other environmental groups against the Federal Highway Administration, United States Department of Transportation, the United States Department of Agriculture. The majority opinion sided with the environmental groups.

In August, the Court upheld the decision of the three member panel.

In September, Governor Sean Parnell decided not to appeal the Court decision, but instead to complete a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement that addresses the Court’s concerns.

On September 14, 2011, Alaska Gov. Sean Parnell directed the Alaska Department of Transportation to coordinate with the Federal Highway Administration to immediately begin preparing a supplemental environmental impact study (SEIS) for the Juneau access road.

“The Juneau Access project is a critical infrastructure project for Juneau and Southeast Alaska. It’s time to move it ahead,” Governor Parnell said. “The project will increase transportation capacity and reduce travel time and cost in the region, particularly for travel between the Lynn Canal communities of Juneau, Haines, Skagway, and Alaskans travelling on the road system.”